If you will be traveling to the island soon and you’re busy planning your trip itinerary, it’s important to know what the weather in Iceland is like. If not, you might find yourself trying to hike in darkness, having a soak in a hot spring while a blizzard is raging all around you, or showing up at a closed ice cave since it’s busy melting and a safety hazard.
That’s why we created this comprehensive guide you can use to plan the perfect Iceland adventure without getting sidetracked by any unwanted weather conditions. Read on to find out all you need to know.
The Iceland Climate
When it comes to the weather in Iceland, there are a few important factors to take into account when planning your trip:
Iceland’s Temperatures
This is probably the biggest concern among visitors (and who could blame them; we are called Iceland, after all). Iceland’s temperatures vary just like in the rest of the world, and although we may not reach extreme summer highs like in certain parts of the globe, we still experience fairly warm weather.
For example, the warmest month in Iceland is July, where temperatures have been known to reach 18 to 20 degrees Celsius (64 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit). Still, we also reach extreme lows. Although temperatures fluctuate, you can prepare yourself for Iceland’s average winter temperatures of between -5 and -2 degrees Celsius (23 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit) and Iceland’s summer average of 12 to 15 degrees Celsius (54 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit).
This is where your planning becomes essential because you will need different temperatures depending on what attractions and activities you have on your Iceland bucket list. Most who like to partake in all sorts of outdoor activities, such as kayaking, prefer the higher temperatures. But if you would like to snap a picture of a waterfall frozen in time or visit one of our spectacular ice caves, you’ll need to visit during the colder months of the year.
Iceland’s Daylight Hours
Iceland’s daylight hours also vary greatly throughout the year, and it has an extreme range of just 4 hours a day on one side of the spectrum during our winter season and over 22 hours a day on the opposite side of the spectrum during our summer season. Daylight hours are extremely important when it comes to your Iceland trip itinerary since this will also dictate the type of experiences you can have here in Iceland.
Firstly, having plenty of daylight hours is essential for anyone with a jam-packed itinerary filled with outdoor adventures. Secondly, you’ll need to pick your Iceland phenomena (because you can’t have both): if you’re being lured to the island by our mesmerizing Northern Lights, you’ll need as much darkness as possible (which peaks mid-winter), but if you want to experience our Midnight Sun, you’ll need to visit during mid-summer (mid to end June specifically).
Iceland’s Rainfall
Iceland can get pretty wet at times, and, once again, this will impact anyone planning on partaking in outdoor activities or going on a road trip (driving on a wet road can be quite the challenge). Generally, September is considered the wettest month here in Iceland, and May is the driest.
Iceland’s Snowfall
Snowfall; you gotta love it and hate it at the same time. This beautiful bastard shows up during the colder months of the year here on the island and can make your day by turning the landscape into a winter wonderland resembling a Hallmark movie.
Or it can completely derail your plans by turning into a raging blizzard, causing road closures, and blocking access to certain attractions. Ironically, while most would expect the heaviest snowfall to be mid-winter, it’s actually on the tail-end of the season here in Iceland. The most snowfall is usually recorded during March.
Iceland’s Winds
Iceland’s winds are absolutely legendary. First, we must make it abundantly clear that, as an island, the odds of you not experiencing any type of wind on your trip are extremely low. And the wind along the coast, especially on our beaches, will always be a bit more extreme than you experience inland.
But that being said, if you have a bit of a wind aversion, July should be your go-to for your trip, and January should be avoided entirely since, even though the average wind speed is roughly 26 kilometers an hour, it has been known to surpass 35 kilometers an hour. Needless to say, Iceland’s winds can really be a bit of a nuisance on outdoor outings and when driving.
Iceland’s Yearly Weather: A Detailed Outline
Below, you will find a cheat sheet to Iceland’s weather (on a monthly basis) for quick and convenient referencing:
|
Month |
Avg High temperature |
Avg Low temperature |
Avg Rainfall |
Avg Snowfall |
Avg Wndspeed |
Avg Daylight |
|
January |
0,9°C/33,6°F |
-3,6°C/25.5°F |
131 mm (5.1 inches) |
53 mm (2 inches) |
24 km/h (14.9 m/h) |
5 hrs |
|
February |
1,2°C/34.1°F |
-3,5°C/25.7°F |
129 mm (5 inches) |
45 mm (1.7 inches) |
24.5 km/h (15.2 m/h) |
8 hrs
|
|
March |
2,6°C/36.68°F |
-2,5°C/27.5°F |
122 mm (4.8 inches) |
100 mm (3.9 inches) |
24 km/h (14.9 m/h) |
12 hrs |
|
April |
5,8°C/42.4°F |
0°C/32°F |
99 mm (3.9 inches) |
22 mm (0.9 inches) |
21.5 km/h (13.3 m/h) |
16 hrs |
|
May |
9,3°C/48.7°F |
3,1°C/37.5°F |
90 mm (3.5 inches) |
2 mm (0.8 inches) |
19 km/h (11.8 m/h) |
18 hrs |
|
June |
12,7°C/54.8°F |
6,8°C/44.2°F |
76 mm (3 inches) |
0 mm (0 inches) |
18.5 km/h (11.5 m/h) |
21 hrs |
|
July |
14,4°C/57.9°F |
8,7°C/47.6°F |
85 mm (3.3 inches) |
0 mm (0 inches) |
17.5 km/h (10.9 m/h) |
19 hrs |
|
August |
13,5°C/56.3°F |
8,1°C/46.5°F |
102 mm (4 inches) |
0 mm (0 inches) |
18 km/h (11.1 m/h) |
16 hrs |
|
September |
10,2°C/50.3°F |
5,7°C/42.2°F |
132 mm (5 inches) |
0 mm (0 inches) |
19.5 km/h (12.1 m/h) |
13 hrs |
|
October |
6°C/42.8°F |
1,9°C/35.42°F |
118 mm (4.6 inches) |
3 mm (0.1 inches) |
21.5 km/h (13.4 m/h) |
9 hrs |
|
November |
2,8°C/37.04°F |
-1°C/30.2°F |
120 mm (4.7 inches) |
17 mm (0.7 inches) |
22 km/h (13.7 m/h) |
6 hrs |
|
December |
1°C/33.8°F |
-3,5°C/25.7°F |
133 mm (5.2 inches) |
61 mm (2.4 inches) |
24 km/h (14.9 m/h) |
4 hrs |
When’s the Best Time to Visit Iceland for Certain Attractions/Activities?
Below, you will find a quick reference guide to when you should visit Iceland based on some of the most popular things there are to see and do here on the island:
Midnight Sun
Although you will experience 21+ hours of daylight throughout June, you’ll need to ensure you’re on the island between 16 and 29 June to experience the Midnight Sun phenomena. This is when darkness never actually falls despite the sun taking a quick dip behind the horizon.
Northern Lights
The Northern Lights require very specific conditions to appear, so you’re never quite guaranteed a sighting. Still, the darker and colder months of the year are good bets, with November to February considered the prime Northern Light viewing period.
Hiking
For hiking in Iceland, you’ll need plenty of daylight hours and decent weather. That’s why many consider the summer months of June to August to be the best time to take on those trails. But since some trails can get pretty crowded during this peak season, others would recommend hiking during the shoulder months (May and September) when you’ll still have plenty of daylight hours and fair weather while not having to deal with so much foot traffic.
Ice Cave Exploring
Although Katla Ice Cave is open all year round, most ice caves are kept closed to the public during the warmer months of the year. Therefore, you’ll need to visit the island between November and March if you wish to explore the ice caves.
Road-tripping
Technically, you can road trip all year round, but you’ll need to keep the following in mind:
- The extreme weather in the north can really mess up your plans with sudden road closures during the colder months of the year.
- Iceland’s F-roads are generally only open between June and September.
- Driving in Iceland during the colder months means dealing with ice, snow, extreme winds, and even storms. This can be quite nerve-wracking, especially for those unfamiliar with such conditions. However, if you’re prepared for the adventure, you can discover Iceland’s highlands with a 4x4 camper, ensuring a safer and more capable journey through the country’s rugged winter landscapes.
- If you’re planning on road-tripping in a motorhome, you need to keep in mind that many campsites are either closed or open per special request during our winter season.
Skiing
The ski season in Iceland runs from November to April. That being said, many ski resorts only open in February when daylight hours have begun to increase. Many swear the snow is best to ski on from late February to early May.
Whale Watching
While you will find whales (and whale watching tours) all along the coast throughout the year, Icelands’ official whale season is from April to late September/early October. This is when you also have all sorts of migratory whale species also calling Iceland home.
Puffin Spotting
Iceland boasts 60% of the world’s Puffin population, a major draw for many tourists. But these clowns of the sea, as they are lovingly referred to, stay out on the ocean for most of the year and only come “home” during their breeding season. That means the only time you can spot a Puffin or go on a Puffin boat tour is between May and August.
A Few Helpful Facts and Advice Regarding Iceland’s Weather
If this is going to be your first time visiting Iceland, the following could come in handy:
- There’s been a misconception for quite some time that certain cities, especially Reykjavik, are somehow warmer than the rest of the island. Those who understand weather will know what an absurd notion this is. Our larger cities simply feel warmer since the buildings create some shelter against the more extreme weather elements.
- That being said, it is a fact that the north gets colder than the south, and winter tends to creep into the north first before making its way down to the rest of the island. So, it’s completely possible to have sudden road closures due to weather conditions in the north while the south remains unaffected. You’ll need to take this into account when making plans, especially when you’re planning on exploring the north during the colder months of the year.
- There are a few places and spots here on the island that you really shouldn’t even consider as a possibility during the colder months of the year. This includes the remote regions of the Westfjords and the Highlands as well as the F-roads (which make for very rewarding road trips but are only open during the warmer months of the year).
- There are many things that are dictated by our seasons here in Iceland. Since Iceland’s summer season is known for its nice and mild weather, many flock to the island during this time, making this our peak season. Many try to avoid the island during our harsher, colder months, making this our “down” season here on the island. You will find that many attractions, activities, and even our public transport’s operating hours change dramatically between these two seasons. That’s why we always advise visitors to double-check operating hours before heading out.
- We have a local saying that goes: “You can experience all four seasons in a day here in Iceland.” So, even if you come well prepared based on your research on Iceland’s weather, it’s wise to still keep a close eye on the Iceland weather forecast and the Iceland road conditions.
- It’s also the above-mentioned saying that has most wearing layers of clothing here on the island. This way, you’ll always be able to take something off and put something on depending on the current weather situation.
FAQs About Iceland’s Weather
Below, you will find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Iceland’s weather:
Is Iceland Cold?
Whether you perceive Iceland as cold depends on what you’re used to. But, yes, to most, Iceland will generally be on the chilly side all throughout the year, rarely reaching temperatures beyond 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit).
How Cold is Iceland?
Iceland’s cold is relative to the specific season and whether you find yourself in the north or south of the island. But temperatures can reach lows of 0 to -15 degrees Celsius (32 – 59 degrees Fahrenheit) during the winter season and between 6 and 9 degrees Celsius (42 and 48 degrees Fahrenheit) during the summer season.
Does it Snow in Iceland?
Yes, it snows in Iceland, but mainly during our winter season, from November to March.
How Warm Does it Get in Iceland?
Iceland’s warmth is relative to the specific season and whether you find yourself in the north or south of the island. But temperatures can reach highs of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius (68 – 77 degrees Fahrenheit) during the summer season and between 6 and 10 degrees Celsius (42 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit) during the winter season.
When is Winter in Iceland?
Winter starts to slowly make its way across the island from late November to around early/mid-March, depending on whether you find yourself in the warmer south or the colder north of Iceland.
Knowledge of Iceland’s Weather is Essential for Any Traveler
As you can see from our guide, the weather here in Iceland will play a big role in your trip to the island. But using the information provided, you can properly plan your trip around what you would like to see and do here on the island, and you’ll be prepared even when the unexpected should happen.
If you’re planning on visiting during the warmer months of the year, we highly recommend you purchase a Camping Card and rent a campervan in Iceland for the most convenient (and affordable!) Iceland adventure. Happy travels, and may you enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Iceland, irrespective of season.
